Naxal killed during encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh

Raipur: A joint team of security forces today gunned down a Naxal during an encounter between them and the ultras in Chandometa forest of Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district.
The skirmish took place this afternoon on the foot of the densely forested Chandometa hills, Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, S R P Kalluri said.
Chandometa is located on Chhattisgarh-Odisha border around 55 km from Darbha Police Station.
Acting on a specific input about the presence of Maoist commanders Vinod and Sanju along with 20 cadres in the area, an operation was launched last evening by the composite squad of District Reserve Group (DRG) and Special Task Force (STF), he said.
Today, when the security forces were advancing to the specified location at the bottom of the hill, a gun-battle broke out after a group of Maoist cadres opened fire on them, the IG said, adding that the encounter lasted for about half-an-hour following which rebels escaped.
During the search, the body of a male Maoist along with weapons and contraband were recovered from the spot, the IG said, adding the identity of killed rebel is yet to be ascertained as forces are still carrying out the operation.
He is the fourth ultra to be killed this month in three encounters in the region bordering Odisha. Two Maoists were killed on August 1, while another was killed on August 16 in that area, Kalluri said. PTI